Come Out and Play!
Outdoor Chattanooga News + Events May 2019
Outdoor Chattanooga's newsletter highlights the awesome outdoor activities happening in and around Chattanooga that will connect you to the outdoors and inspire you to come out and play with us!
Outdoor Chattanooga Events
Rapid Learning Intro to Whitewater Kayaking Classes
Wednesdays in May | 6-8 p.m.
Rapid Learning Intro to Kayaking Skills Classes at Chester Frost County Park.
Outdoor Chattanooga's  Rapid Learning Kayak Program provides formal and equipped instruction to learn and develop whitewater kayaking skills. Now that the weather is warming and the sun is shining, we're headed outside to Chester Frost County Park to offer our Intro to Whitewater Kayaking Skills Classes at the lake every Wednesday starting May 1st through the end of September. We offer two sessions each Wednesday; first session is 6-7 PM, second session is 7-8 PM. NO reservations, experience or equipment required to attend, and the first session is always free! You'll find us at the end of the swimming beach near the first boat ramp. For more info email Outdoor Chattanooga .
Guided Hike on the Cumberland Trasil
Saturday May 4 | 1 — 4 p.m.

Join Outdoor Chattanooga  for a free guided hike on the Cumberland Trail  (CT) on Saturday, May 4 from 1-4 PM. This is the 5th in the 9 part series of our Cumberland Trail Hiking Series being offered through out the year. On these guided hikes, we'll explore unique geological formations, observe seasonal flora and fauna, trek over and through creeks to the tops of ridges with waterfalls and scenic overlooks. We've carefully selected the one-way hikes to be no more than 6 miles and will provide a shuttle. The guided hiking series began January 26 and concludes on December 14, 2019.  Online Registration is required in advance as space is limited. All details are given to registered participants via email. ** The CT is a remote trail over rugged terrain. We ask participants to have some hiking experience and be in good physical shape to hike 4-6 miles continuously on sections rated as moderately strenuous . Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating parent or responsible adult. For more info  email Outdoor Chattanooga  or call (423) 643-6888.

Pedal to Paddle on South Chick Creek Greenway + Blueway
Friday, May 17 | 3 - 6 p.m.
Pedal to Paddle Promo
Outdoor Chattanooga is partnering with Hamilton County Parks to offer a guided and equipped Pedal to Paddle | Bike to Canoe Adventure on the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway and Blueway! You'll discover how Chattanooga's greenways and blueways are connected while experiencing two adventure sports in one day! Outdoor Chattanooga's experienced guides will lead you on a leisurely paced 2.5-mile bike tour on the S. Chick Greenway comprised of asphalt and boardwalk to Sterchi Farm Park, where we shift gears and get in canoes to paddle 2-miles down the quiet creek back to our starting point. Prior to departure, you'll receive basic biking and canoeing instruction, water safety information and be properly outfitted in a lifejacket and canoe.

Cost: $20 per person which includes guides throughout the duration of the tour, all equipment including a bike, helmet, tandem canoe, paddles, and lifejackets. This canoe tour is appropriate for ages 8+ when accompanied by an adult. Youth, ages 8-12 are recommended to ride with 2 adults in a canoe unless they have prior canoe experience. $10 discount for children 12 and under riding with 2 adults in a canoe. Some prior canoeing/paddling experience is helpful but not required to participate in this tour. All participants must be able to confidently ride a bicycle to participate in this activity. (No training wheels please). Online reservations and payment are required in advance as space is limited. Call 423-634-6888 with questions or to learn more.

Chickamauga Battlefield Bike Tour
Saturday, May 18 | 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Join  Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park  and  Outdoor Chattanooga  for this free, leisurely paced bicycle tour through Chickamauga Battlefield. National Park Service rangers provide recounts of the history of the battlefield during frequent stops, while Outdoor Chattanooga staff and volunteers provide ride support. Loaner bicycles are available for riders five feet tall and over at no charge, thanks to sponsorship from the  National Park Partners  and the  Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga . Reservations for these bicycles are required. If you have and use your own equipment, no reservation is necessary. The monthly tours begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. Ride distance is approximately three to four miles on flat to gently rolling terrain. The rides are considered beginner friendly and are appropriate for adults, and children ages eight and older when accompanied by an adult. NO training wheels, please. All participants are required to wear helmets during the ride. 

Full Moon Kayak Tour
Saturday, May 18 | 8 - 10 p.m.
Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a guided and equipped Full Moon Kayak Tour around the islands and sloughs of Chickamauga Lake as the full moon rises in the night sky. Guides will lead you on a leisurely paced and peaceful paddle to watch the colorful skyline as the sun sets and the full moon rises over the lake. Prior to departure, you'll receive basic paddling instruction, water safety information and be properly outfitted in a lifejacket and kayak. Cost: $35 per person which includes guides on the water and all the kayaking equipment (kayak, paddle, PFD, and lights). This moonlit kayak tour is appropriate for ages 14+ when accompanied by an adult. Some prior kayaking/paddling experience is helpful but not required to participate in this tour. Guides will offer basic paddling instruction and provide on water support throughout the duration of the tour, which lasts approximately 2 hours.Reservations and payment are required in advance as space is limited to 10 participants. Call 423-643-6888 to learn more or click the link below to register online!
Community Events
Paddling Film Festival Chattanooga
Friday, May 3 | 6:30 - 10 p.m.
The Paddling Film Festival is an international adventure film tour presenting the world’s best paddling films of the year – whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, SUP, action and lifestyle – in more than 120 cities and towns across Canada, United States and around the world including right here in Chattanooga! The Paddling Film Festival World Tour is being held at Chattanooga's Square One Venue on Friday, May 3. Tickets are $15, available online and at the door. All proceeds benefit the newly branded WaterWays and their clean water projects. This event concludes a week long celebration with events in honor of thier 15th anniversary. Come out to support them, learn more about what they do and leave inspired to explore our local waterways!

Another Gorgeous Evening with Tennessee River Gorge Trust
May 9 | 5:30 - 9:00 PM
Join the Tennessee River Gorge Trust on Thursday, May 9 at 5:30 p.m. for Another Gorgeous Evening at the Tennessee River Place for their 9th annual fundraiser to benefit their conservation efforts. Guests will enjoy speciality drinks during the best cocktail hour in all of Chattanooga, live music, and catered food all with a spectacular view of the Gorge from the Tennessee River Place. Individual tickets are $125. Tables and sponsorships are also available.
Bluegrass in the Park
Saturday, May 18 | 12 - 9 PM
Bluegrass in the Park is a free, family-friendly event featuring bluegrass favorites: Caney Creek Company , Grandview Mountain Pickers , and the New Dismembered Tennesseans at Miller Park on Saturday, May 18. The event starts at 12:00 p.m. with a farmers market and strolling bluegrass musicians. Bring your instrument or just come liest to a community bluegrass jam organized by Barefoot Nellie & Co. from 3:00-5:00 p.m. The main event starts at 5:00 p.m. Food trucks and several outdoor-oriented organizations will be on site providing delicious eats for purchase and information. Everyoneis welcome, with a special welcome to the Ironman 70.3 athletes and their families competing on Sunday.

Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga
Sunday, May 19
Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga presented by McKee returns to the Scenic City on Sunday, May 19. The race begins bright and early with a 1.2 mile swim in the Tennessee River down to Ross's Landing on Riverfront Pkwy where racers transition for the 56 mile bike course and then again for the 13.1 mile run along the Tennessee Riverwalk. Check out the race course , schedule , spectator guide , and local traffic impact . Volunteers are still needed! If interested in being a part of the magic on race day without racing, register to volunteer !

Local Adventure Spotlight
May is National Bike Month! To celebrate, organizations across Chattanooga are holding events to encourage bicycling as a fun, healthy way to get around town and enjoy our community. Here are a few ways you can get involved and get in on this month's local adventure.
International Women’s Mountain Bike Day DH Clinic + Group Rides
 Saturday, May 4 | 10 AM
 The first Saturday in May has been dedicated as International Women's Mountain Bike Day by IMBA and the Velo Vixens are hosting a local celebration of their collective love for mountain biking! The day starts with an intermediate-advanced ladies DH/Free Ride clinic by Kat Volzer on the Cotton Tail trail at White Oak Mountain at 10 am. This 2-hour event will be geared for women that want to advance their downhill biking skills and ride with confidence. Riders will meet near the restrooms and bike station at the entrance to the WOM trail system. At 12 pm there will be no drop group rides at WOM or Bauxite. Rides are weather and trail condition dependent. Find out more here .
Collegedale Adventure Cycling Series - Bike Touring 101
May 5, 12 & 18 | 1-2 pm
Collegedale Parks and Recreation is offering a four part Bike Touring 101 course (April 28, May 5, May 12) where you will learn everything you need to know to take your first, self-support bike tour. We will cover traffic safety, riding in groups, packing your gear, training, and more! We will finish the event with a group ride and camp out on May 18. Cost: $25 per person to cover the cost of camping and food. Registration required in adavanced .

Scenic City Adaptive Cycling
May 6 & 13 | 6-8 pm
City of Chattanooga Therapeutic Recreation , SPARC and Outdoor Chattanooga offer individuals with disabilities the ability to cycle on the TN Riverwalk through the use of adaptive cycling equipment and volunteers. Please note that equipment is limited and pre-registration is REQUIRED!   Email Jerry Hightower or call him at 423-596-5268 to find out how you can get involved as a participant or as a volunteer.

National Bike to School Day
Wednesday, May 8

Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences (CSAS) Upper and Lower Schools - Wed., May 8 | 7:30 am, starting from the Tennessee Riverpark access off of Amnicola Highway at   2011 Curtain Pole Rd .
Normal Park Museum Magnet Upper and Lower Schools - Wed., May 8 | 7:30 am, starting from St. Marks Church parking lot, 701 Mississippi Ave . 

For more information: walkbiketoschool.org .
Bike to Work Day: Breakfast
Fri., May 17 | 7:30 - 9:00 am | Waterhouse Pavilion, Miller Plaza

 Join GreenTrips and other organizations for a Bike to Work group ride to the Waterhouse Pavilion at Miller Plaza for a free breakfast on Friday, May 17 at 7:30 a.m. as part of National Bike to Work Day.
New Gravity Mountain BikeTrails Coming to Chattanooga Summer 2019!
We were excited and a little surprised to hear that Hamilton County will have it's first downhill mountain bike gravity trails by this Summer! Read all about it in the Time Free Press article written by Mark Pace on April 23.
Looking Ahead...Upcoming Events
May

June

July

August
Outdoor Chattanooga | 423.643.6888 | info@outdoorchattanooga.com | www.outdoorchattanooga.com